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| Canyoneering | 4.80 Miles |
1,093 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 4.80 Miles | | | |
| 1,093 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Another visit to this amazing area. We actually started at a new location and skipped the drive & hike up and out of the tank area near the windmill. A larger group than I am used to, but it was a fun day with some really nice folks.
I was concerned about how bad the fire had damaged this area. I could see signs on the way in and hiking down to the Elk Tank. The fire definitely made it to the area south and west of the 5 pools area. The Elk Tank was roasted and the makeshift corral was reduced to cinders. The area directly west of the pools was really roasted.
There's a cabin that follows the first line of stone wall up a side canyon that Richard had visited in the past. When we got there, it was totally destroyed by the fire. All of the surrounding vegetation and the cabin was roasted. I wish I could have seen it before.
There were a few spots with poppies blooming and some other flowers, but a very mild bloom. I kept listening for sounds of flowing water as we descended into the canyon, but I did not hear any at first. Once we get closer, I did hear the wonderful sounds of the creek going.
The falls were flowing, but very lightly. All of the pools we saw were pretty full. The last rain a couple of weeks ago was still providing some flow.
Also, the fire did NOT make it into the area near the creek and the pools/falls. I was relieved to see the area was just as wild and crazy as it's been in the past. I made the treacherous hike down to the last falls and it was really amazing. I had not had the courage (or possessed the stupidity?) in the past to go down the sketchy section required. But, I followed a capable rock climber down and got to see the last falls up close and personal.
The hike out back to the tank is always steeper than I remember going down. The weather was perfect. A few clouds and a nice breeze would have been nice, but we could not have asked for better weather.
I will wait for a good rain and go back to this epic location. I hope we get some before the summer heat moves in for sure. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
mexican poppies, lupines |
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| _____________________
"Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee." –Demetri Martin
instagram: @andydilling |
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